Applications open for leadership class

Leadership Huron County is now accepting applications for its 2026 adult leadership class. This year's program commences on March 12 and the deadline to apply is Jan. 31. Entering its 29th year, Leadership Huron County is the official adult leadership education and development program for anyone who lives and/or works in Huron County. The program's mission is to provide an ongoing source of motivated leaders for all walks of life in Huron County by helping participants hone their leadership strengths and by educating them on issues, resources and assets that impact the entire Huron County community. The two components of the program include four months of intensive leadership development followed by five months of themed classes at which participants have the opportunity to interact with a wide variety of community leaders in government, education, big and small business, agriculture and environmental conservation, finance, civic and charitable organizations, and to tour many of those venues as well. The 10th and final class, facilitated by the Leadership Huron County board of directors, will include a celebratory graduation luncheon. Leadership Huron County graduated a class of 27 members on Dec. 11 after a very successful and enlightening year. The group visited many sites including the Common Ground Center (Oberlin); Dalton Farms (Wakeman); The Norwalk Wastewater and Water Treatment Plants; New Horizons Bakery (Norwalk); Pepperidge Farms (Willard); Dutchmaid Logistics (Willard); The Bellevue Society for the Arts (Bellevue); The Bellevue Rec Center (Bellevue); The Norwalk Fire Department; The Huron County Sheriff's Office and the Huron County Emergency Management Agency; Mini-Main Street (Monroeville); Artists Open Studio (Norwalk); When Pigs Fly (Norwalk); along with a host of other shorter stops. Monthly meetings also included a wide variety of speakers from all walks of life throughout the county. Other activities the group enjoyed included a number of Community Leaders' Roundtable discussions; a day of Equine Assisted Leadership Training at the Ashland County Fairgrounds; and the annual Huron County Road Rally last July. The Huron County Board of Developmental Disabilities hosted the graduation celebration for the Leadership Huron County Class of '25 in their newly renovated event space. Graduates of the 2025 program and their employers represented a widely diverse and talented group of individuals from a broad spectrum of occupations, including Cody Appeman (Norwalk Concrete Industries); John Burrow (Janotta & Herner); Aaron Buurma (Buurma Farms); Lindsey Byron (New London Public Library); Alexis Danhoff (FTMC Foundation); Eric Danhoff (Danhoff-Donnamiller Realty); Amanda Felver (Lakepark Industries); Jennifer Gerber (Norwalk City Schools); Jeremy Gray (City of Willard Police Dept.); Terry Harvey (Norwalk Furniture); Shannon Jackson (American Excelsior Co,); Jennifer Kimberlin (South Central Local Schools); Lynn Kochheiser (FTMC); Brenda Legg (Lakeside Book Co.); Shelly Magyar (Firelands Electric Cooperative); Angela Mahl (Spherion Mid-Ohio); Breanna Mantz (Goodwill Industries); Melissa Murphy (Huron County Board of DD); Heather Ollie (Society for Handicapped Children); Mitchell Ott (American Excelsior Co.); Keppy Poths (Willard City Schools); Mollie Schaefer (Huron County Community Foundation); Corynne Schafer (Willard City Schools); Athena Shaffer (Norwalk Memorial Home); Courtney Shepherd (New London Local Schools); Ann Todd (Western Reserve-South Central-New London Schools); and Melissa Whitman (LoveGrowsLove Foundation.) One of the best aspects of Leadership Huron County is that it brings together individuals from many occupations and vocations who otherwise would not be likely to interact. The connections and relationships that result help to broaden everyone's perspectives, not only on leadership but on the wealth of resources and assets in Huron County. Groups invariably bond and develop networks of support that last long after participants complete the program Although many participants have employer sponsors, that is not a requirement for participation in the program. Deadline to apply is Jan. 31. Inquiries about the Leadership Huron County Program and requests for an application should be directed to program consultant susanroot.moore@gmail.com. Further information about the program can also be found on the Leadership Huron County website at leadershiphuroncounty.org.